I hadn't realized it has been awhile since I last posted. Wednesday night we had the privelege of seeing our youth group's performance of the play "The Harrowing of Hell". What a great performance! Everything from the makeup, costumes and lighting was wonderful. Now I have sat through my fair shair of plays, since my brother was in every on that came along in high school. And I have to say tha tthis is one of my favorites. I guess because of the way the title sounds I thought it would be a little on the scary side but it wasn't at all. It was a good family experience. Yes, Grace could have particpated in it, but she wasn't really comfortable being about the only junior high kid and it would ate up what little time she has. Maybe next time now that she knows what a little more what it's all about.
As my facebook peeps know she sprained her ankle really good last night in the ball game. We have been icing it and propping it up. Coy ordered her really good ankle braces this afternoon. We are just so thankful it wasn't broke, like we initially thought. Still it's going to be hard for her to let it rest. She is always doing some kind of ball drill in her room while listening to her music.
JoGail has a birthday date with Miss Deanna tonight. But she forgot puppy. He's on the couch with me right now. I called Deanna and I think they are going to come get him. Let me tell you she hasn't spent very many (like less than 3) nights away from puppy. Yep he's getting a little worn and barely has any stuffing left in him. I always tell JoGail that puppy is staying with me when she goes to college and she always says no he is going with her. We'll see......(Puppy is a Ty stuffed animal a friedn gave her when she born).
Here's a quick recipe for you.
Easy Mini cinnamon rolls
can crescent rolls
cream cheese frosting ( you can buy in a can or make from scratch)
melted butter
cinnamon sugar
Preheat oven to temperature on crescent roll can. On a cutting board, unroll crescent roll dough and leave in rectangles. (Don't separate into triangles). Cover rectangle with melted butter then cinnamon sugar. Try not to get it too close to the edges. Roll up and slice into about 1/2 inch pieces. Repeat until you have used all the crescent roll dough. Bake according to crescent roll package directions. Put icing on while still hot.
I usually double this recipe and use the store bought frosting. It's just eaier. My girls have grown up on these and love them. I originally got the recipe from Tami Dailey, Grace's kindergarten teacher. Your kitchen will smell wonderful while they cook!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Another challenge!
Ok so my sister helped me come up with next month's challenge.....try at least one new thing a week....can be a new recipe, a new ingredient, a new restaurant, or a new cooking technique! I started tonight by combining the eat out of the pantry challenge (we're still doing that) and the try something new challenge...made granola bars....smelled awesome! Here's a link to the recipe.
Granola Bar Recipe. WOW! I only added milk choc chips to see how it turned out. Mine aren't as ashen loooking as hers, either.....I had the chips, oatmeal and Eagle Brand in the cabinet....since I had enough to make two batches one batch has butterscotch chips with semi choc chips. I plan to take them to work since the bars are kind of high calorie for me right now. Yep, I'm back on the calorie counting wagon and feel better already...drinking lots of water, too......
Funny story...sort of.....JoGail said her tooth hurt when she ate her breakfast this morning....so being me I looked in her mouth and saw swollen light pink gums....thought she might have an abcescess so I called the dentist....took half a day off and picked her up early from school....she did well....remember last time she had to take a valium when she went to the dentist....I worried all morning...she did great this time and all it was was a loose tooth! I felt so silly.....oh well I figure if I hadn't taken her it would have been an abscess!
I think Grace is still growing. She seems to get taller everytime I go to hug her. Quite the young lady, too I might add! Currently she's the family's ipod trouble shooter!
Coy comes home tomorrow~yeah~ I sure miss him when he's gone!
Granola Bar Recipe. WOW! I only added milk choc chips to see how it turned out. Mine aren't as ashen loooking as hers, either.....I had the chips, oatmeal and Eagle Brand in the cabinet....since I had enough to make two batches one batch has butterscotch chips with semi choc chips. I plan to take them to work since the bars are kind of high calorie for me right now. Yep, I'm back on the calorie counting wagon and feel better already...drinking lots of water, too......
Funny story...sort of.....JoGail said her tooth hurt when she ate her breakfast this morning....so being me I looked in her mouth and saw swollen light pink gums....thought she might have an abcescess so I called the dentist....took half a day off and picked her up early from school....she did well....remember last time she had to take a valium when she went to the dentist....I worried all morning...she did great this time and all it was was a loose tooth! I felt so silly.....oh well I figure if I hadn't taken her it would have been an abscess!
I think Grace is still growing. She seems to get taller everytime I go to hug her. Quite the young lady, too I might add! Currently she's the family's ipod trouble shooter!
Coy comes home tomorrow~yeah~ I sure miss him when he's gone!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Basketball picts + 'retirement ' announcement
Here's a picture of JoGail guarding he rgirl last weekend....yeha....just a little height differnece! JoGail drove her crazy though and the girl only scored 3 points for her team and 2 poionts for out team. Seriously, JoGail played awesome defense. She may not be the quickest or the tallest but she can sure annoy somebody! We play Scurry this afternoon. Retirement Announcement.....
Grace has decided to 'retire' from soccer. Her decision. She said she wants to focus on school sports and her grades. SHe has played since third grade and has enjoyed it. But I think she is tired of it and going all the time. She told me that she doesn't like tournament weekends because there's no time to relax. And she's right. When you play all day Sat and all Sun afternoon and get home late there's no weekend left. Her coach is trying to change her mind but I doubt that will happen. She seems to have he rmind pretty made up. I must admit I am pretty proud of her for making this decision and sticking with it. :) She seems to be realizing on her own tha tshe can't do it all and trying to do it all wears her out. The Lady Destroyers finished third in the state tournament this year.
Coy's getting reaxy to go to the MidWinter Conference in Austin. (I'm thinking I might get a break from watching a daily episode of "Have GunWill Travel". ) I think it's healthy for him to get away for a while. Especially when I think about him being single for 10 years before we were married. I think the girls and I drive him a little crazy sometimes.
The Spicy Potato Soup was a big hit, even though Grace thought it was too spicy. Coy especially liked it with cornbread.
~Laurie
Friday, January 22, 2010
Spicy Potato Soup
I made this last night, even though I felt horrible. That should tell you how easy it is to make! We are going to eat it tomorrow for lunch with a hot pan of cornbread......I bet it is going to be great!
Spicy Potato Soup
4 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
1 large can tomato sauce
3 drop hot seasoning
1 can rotel
1 pound hamburger
2 cans beef broth
2 cups water
Brown beef in dutch oven. Add other ingredients and cook on med high until potatoes are done.
I'm thinking it is going to be really good !
Tomorrow is Basketball in Scurry then Coy leaves for midwinter conference. That gives me free reign for cooking with cheese!!!!Definately making that hamburger roll recipe again from Kraft and Leigh Ann! Probably making farmhouse muffins, too....I'll try to remember ot post the recipe. I will post some basketball pictures tomorrow as well.
Spicy Potato Soup
4 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
1 large can tomato sauce
3 drop hot seasoning
1 can rotel
1 pound hamburger
2 cans beef broth
2 cups water
Brown beef in dutch oven. Add other ingredients and cook on med high until potatoes are done.
I'm thinking it is going to be really good !
Tomorrow is Basketball in Scurry then Coy leaves for midwinter conference. That gives me free reign for cooking with cheese!!!!Definately making that hamburger roll recipe again from Kraft and Leigh Ann! Probably making farmhouse muffins, too....I'll try to remember ot post the recipe. I will post some basketball pictures tomorrow as well.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
An old family favorite-Old English Breakfast
What a week! Mondays off sure make the week seem long! Wednesday nights at church are somewhat long to me but I always feel refreshed by Thusday..something about being around all those munchkins and wonderful ladies....we made s'mores for the snack last night.....Ms. Leslie brought the stuff then Holly and I put our heads together how to do it in the oven....Kids loved them and so did the youth! We made pancakes and sausage for the meal.....always a favorite....especially with the youth....
I am trying to wrap my brain around healthy eating again......I know...I should be thinking about it ALL the time.....not to that point yet, though. I have to take baby and I mean baby steps towards wrapping my brain around healthy eating. This week I am focusing on eating breakfast....Now normally I eat whatever. No, I was most definately NOT raised this way. I think 'this way' happened after I had kids and wanted to sleep more...Coy always and I mean ALWAYS has 2 packages of low fat brown sugar pop tarts....So I have never really had to fix him breakfast (thank goodness since he leaves at 6:15 most mornings). The girls love cereal or JoGail will eat oatmeal. Simple, quick and easy.....that leaves just me. Sometimes I fix eggs and toast but here lately I have been heating up leftovers.....I know not your normal breakfast food, but it works for me. Sometimes all I have is chips and salsa. I usually take it to work and read Coy's blog and newspapers on the internet while I eat it ( I get there early). Usually it's Jane and I and it's nice and quiet for about 30 minutes.....so I was thinking today while I was waiting at the doctor's office (kidney stones) and decided to focus on breakfast the next scouple of weeks....first of all I am going to try and make something my mom mde for us when we took trips.....I just came up with a name for this...Old Enlglish Breakfast ....not the healthiest but at least it will be healthier for me! I am using turkey sausage, though, and 100 calorie english muffins with extra fiber.
Old English Breakfast
1 small roll sausage browned and cooled
1 small jar Kraft Old English cheese
1 package English muffins
Mix sausage in cheese together. Spread on muffins. Muffins can be heated or not. Mama would always cut the muffins into quarters then keep in a zip lock bag in the car when we travelled.
~Laurie
I am trying to wrap my brain around healthy eating again......I know...I should be thinking about it ALL the time.....not to that point yet, though. I have to take baby and I mean baby steps towards wrapping my brain around healthy eating. This week I am focusing on eating breakfast....Now normally I eat whatever. No, I was most definately NOT raised this way. I think 'this way' happened after I had kids and wanted to sleep more...Coy always and I mean ALWAYS has 2 packages of low fat brown sugar pop tarts....So I have never really had to fix him breakfast (thank goodness since he leaves at 6:15 most mornings). The girls love cereal or JoGail will eat oatmeal. Simple, quick and easy.....that leaves just me. Sometimes I fix eggs and toast but here lately I have been heating up leftovers.....I know not your normal breakfast food, but it works for me. Sometimes all I have is chips and salsa. I usually take it to work and read Coy's blog and newspapers on the internet while I eat it ( I get there early). Usually it's Jane and I and it's nice and quiet for about 30 minutes.....so I was thinking today while I was waiting at the doctor's office (kidney stones) and decided to focus on breakfast the next scouple of weeks....first of all I am going to try and make something my mom mde for us when we took trips.....I just came up with a name for this...Old Enlglish Breakfast ....not the healthiest but at least it will be healthier for me! I am using turkey sausage, though, and 100 calorie english muffins with extra fiber.
Old English Breakfast
1 small roll sausage browned and cooled
1 small jar Kraft Old English cheese
1 package English muffins
Mix sausage in cheese together. Spread on muffins. Muffins can be heated or not. Mama would always cut the muffins into quarters then keep in a zip lock bag in the car when we travelled.
~Laurie
Monday, January 18, 2010
yeahhhh! A Monday off!
FIve things I like about being home today....
1. I got to sleep til 8! Yes, Coy still had to go in, but after he left it was quiet!
2. I have had even more time to cook......JoGail and I made a 'from scratch" hot fudge pudding cake for a friend at work. 3 bowls, 2 whisks, and 4 measuting cups later it went into the oven. And yes, we had all the ingredients in the cabinet!
3. Eating something good for lunch. I roasted some squash adn mushrooms.......it tasted so good...
4. I can finish the laundry without feeling rushed.
5. A nap-which I am going to get as soon as the cake gets done!
The menu I decided on for when Brance and crew comes over tonight includes:
Italian chicken
Green Beans
Corn Mixture
Roasted red potatoes
Garlic bread
Apple dumplings.
Tea
Once I get up from my nap I will start on the Apple Dumplings. Here's my recipe:
2 packages crescent roll dough
2 sticks butter
1 1/4 c sugar
2 apples peeled and cored
1 teaspoon cinnamon
12 oz spite or mountian dew
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut n a saucepan melt butter, cinnamon and sugar. Pour over crescent roll mixture. Pour sprite/mountain dew over all. Bake for 45 minutes.
1. I got to sleep til 8! Yes, Coy still had to go in, but after he left it was quiet!
2. I have had even more time to cook......JoGail and I made a 'from scratch" hot fudge pudding cake for a friend at work. 3 bowls, 2 whisks, and 4 measuting cups later it went into the oven. And yes, we had all the ingredients in the cabinet!
3. Eating something good for lunch. I roasted some squash adn mushrooms.......it tasted so good...
4. I can finish the laundry without feeling rushed.
5. A nap-which I am going to get as soon as the cake gets done!
The menu I decided on for when Brance and crew comes over tonight includes:
Italian chicken
Green Beans
Corn Mixture
Roasted red potatoes
Garlic bread
Apple dumplings.
Tea
Once I get up from my nap I will start on the Apple Dumplings. Here's my recipe:
2 packages crescent roll dough
2 sticks butter
1 1/4 c sugar
2 apples peeled and cored
1 teaspoon cinnamon
12 oz spite or mountian dew
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut n a saucepan melt butter, cinnamon and sugar. Pour over crescent roll mixture. Pour sprite/mountain dew over all. Bake for 45 minutes.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Smoked sausage 'stew '
Tried a new recipe this morning....wasn't sure if I would like it or not....changed it up a bit and it is good...have some ideas to try next time I make it, too! I made this recipe out of necessity....I was trying to eat from the pantry and had all the ingredients so I decided to go for it.....great over cornbread! I need another name for it since I really don't think it's a stew.....any ideas?
Smoked Suasage 'stew'
1 package turkey sausage , sliced and cooked
2 can french onion soup
1 can corn drained
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 cups (I did 3 medium sized) potatoes peeled and cubed
salt/pepper
worcestershire sauce
Put in dutch oven and cook until potatoes are done, about 20 minutes
Next time I think I might try adding some Old Bay seasoning.....
Smoked Suasage 'stew'
1 package turkey sausage , sliced and cooked
2 can french onion soup
1 can corn drained
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 cups (I did 3 medium sized) potatoes peeled and cubed
salt/pepper
worcestershire sauce
Put in dutch oven and cook until potatoes are done, about 20 minutes
Next time I think I might try adding some Old Bay seasoning.....
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Company's Coming!!!
Grace's soccer coach and family is coming over Monday night......that means I get to plan something....Brance's family is technically homeless right now. Apparently the water pipes ran in the attic. And with the cold cold weather we had last week...well you guessed it....one burst in the attic. Over 2 feet of water throughout the house. The attic flooded. Everyting in the house is pretty much lost. Insurance is paying for repairs but they have to live in a hotel until they are made. Brance said they are already tired of eating out. I can relate....I remember when my parents hosue burned. Not a good feeling. Sarah is workingon listing everything in the house.....another chore I remember from the house fire. Not fun.....really not fun...I'll try toi keep you posted with what I fix....has to make alot since there are five extras coming. Luckily I have a break from school on Monday so I can make a full meal without much stress.
Grace played a good game tonight. I can really tell her team is improving. It's fun watching her and her friends grow up. On a funny note, sort of...I saw pop at least three girls' bra straps....I wouldn't know where she gets that from....I DID NOT TEACH HER THAT!
We had shrimp when we got in....ate every one of those little suckers.....such a quick meal and very nutritious.
Grace played a good game tonight. I can really tell her team is improving. It's fun watching her and her friends grow up. On a funny note, sort of...I saw pop at least three girls' bra straps....I wouldn't know where she gets that from....I DID NOT TEACH HER THAT!
We had shrimp when we got in....ate every one of those little suckers.....such a quick meal and very nutritious.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Baked pineapple and Stacia's Shepherd's Pie
Looking for a low fat one pot meal???try Stacia's Shepherd's Pie..I have heard my friend from Evant talk about this a long time and finally tried it......why did I wait so long? My gang ate every last drop!
Stacia's Shepherd's Pie
Preheat oven to 350.
Brown a pound hamburger or ground turkey
Layer in a casserole dish.
Drain a can of corn.
Pour on top of hamburger meat.
Mix up a small batch mashed potatoes--I used instant to make it a quick meal
Put mashed potatoes on top...I used what I call the cing method putting glops all over then spreading it
Stacia puts cheese on top....of course we couldn't.....
Bake until all is hot.
I wondered about not having a binding 'agent' in the hamburger and corn but was not a problem. I think next time I am going to try either mixed vegetables or frozen sweet corn. I can't tell you if it's great for leftovers or not because we didn't have any!
I paired this with Baked pineapple. It was also a hit. I can't wait to mait this for MawMaw....I know how much she loves pineapple. I didn't use all the sugar-I was afraid it would be way too sweet! It's good and simple!
Today was JoGail's tenth birthday. She had an awesome day ! This was the day the school picked to reward kids with good grades and good behavior....so she didn't have to do any work and got to go skating and out to McDonald' s instead! Then I surprised her with decorated cupcakes and drinks at school. I sent a candle and the teach put it on a cupcake and the class sang happy birthday to her.....such a special memory....you don't turn ten every day!
Stacia's Shepherd's Pie
Preheat oven to 350.
Brown a pound hamburger or ground turkey
Layer in a casserole dish.
Drain a can of corn.
Pour on top of hamburger meat.
Mix up a small batch mashed potatoes--I used instant to make it a quick meal
Put mashed potatoes on top...I used what I call the cing method putting glops all over then spreading it
Stacia puts cheese on top....of course we couldn't.....
Bake until all is hot.
I wondered about not having a binding 'agent' in the hamburger and corn but was not a problem. I think next time I am going to try either mixed vegetables or frozen sweet corn. I can't tell you if it's great for leftovers or not because we didn't have any!
I paired this with Baked pineapple. It was also a hit. I can't wait to mait this for MawMaw....I know how much she loves pineapple. I didn't use all the sugar-I was afraid it would be way too sweet! It's good and simple!
Today was JoGail's tenth birthday. She had an awesome day ! This was the day the school picked to reward kids with good grades and good behavior....so she didn't have to do any work and got to go skating and out to McDonald' s instead! Then I surprised her with decorated cupcakes and drinks at school. I sent a candle and the teach put it on a cupcake and the class sang happy birthday to her.....such a special memory....you don't turn ten every day!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Congratulations Leigh Ann!!!
Your recipe for bacon cheeseburger roll up was the first I made in my new birthday Paula Deen skillet!!!! It's in the oven now, so.....I can't wait to taste it.....the filling was awesome. I added worcestershire sauce and some seasonings to it.....but wow!!! I won't be able to wait until lunch time at work tomorrow!! ~~Thanks for the recipe suggestion.
I have had a great birthday.....woke up to phone calls....gifts from Coy and the girls.....new skillet, new double burner griddle (making pancakes tonight ;) and a new Paula Deen knife set for the kitchen plus a gift card. The most wonderful presenst I received I got from my parents. They both wrote me a letter about the day I was born....something I will always treasure! I need to write ones for my girls before I forget!!!!
Still working on eating from the pantry and taking my lunch. (Sometimes I just WANT a sac-aburger cheeseburger though! I made chicken paprikas and had some leftovers so that's going for my lunch this week as well.
Menu/Weekly Schedule ( I need to come up with a cute little name for this......hummm)
Sun nite pancakes
Mon Bball practice Stacia's shepherd's pie Look for this recipe Mon night!
Tues BB Game/Fish, veggies
Wed Church
Thurs G Home Game/Shrimp
Fri Con Stand/Sausage stew (new recipe)
Sat EASA basketball
Thanks to my sister for guiding me to using links in my blog.......could make things alot easier....still working on how to make labels to organize my recipes on the sidebar....
~Laurie
I have had a great birthday.....woke up to phone calls....gifts from Coy and the girls.....new skillet, new double burner griddle (making pancakes tonight ;) and a new Paula Deen knife set for the kitchen plus a gift card. The most wonderful presenst I received I got from my parents. They both wrote me a letter about the day I was born....something I will always treasure! I need to write ones for my girls before I forget!!!!
Still working on eating from the pantry and taking my lunch. (Sometimes I just WANT a sac-aburger cheeseburger though! I made chicken paprikas and had some leftovers so that's going for my lunch this week as well.
Menu/Weekly Schedule ( I need to come up with a cute little name for this......hummm)
Sun nite pancakes
Mon Bball practice Stacia's shepherd's pie Look for this recipe Mon night!
Tues BB Game/Fish, veggies
Wed Church
Thurs G Home Game/Shrimp
Fri Con Stand/Sausage stew (new recipe)
Sat EASA basketball
Thanks to my sister for guiding me to using links in my blog.......could make things alot easier....still working on how to make labels to organize my recipes on the sidebar....
~Laurie
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Foodie Blog roll
I am happy to announce my blog has been given the seal of approval from the foodie blog roll....it's a widget....it updates itseld with other blog posts.....I like to see if any of them interest me then click on them. it will automatically take you to the blog...you have to be approved to add it so I am really happy! :)
I am also *trying* to figure out how to organize my recipe son the sidebar so you can easily access the recipes. May take awhile for me to figure but that's the goal!
Grace's ball game was postponed for tonight, so we are hanging out here at he house and waiting for Texas to play.....we have just a wee bit of burnt orange in the house! I think that's all Grace wears! I was able to get her in at hte doctor's office this afternoon to look at her foot that has started hurting her. He diagnosed it as a a sprain of her deltoid ligament (interior ankle). She has some exercises to do and has to wear a certain kind of tennis shoes (she actually had a pair in her closet). We'll see we go back for a steroid shot in two weeks if it isn't feeling better :((((
Tonight's recipe come from Clarissa......She called it something like a hobo meal....
Can corn
Can green beans
Browned hamburger meat
Mix all together and heat. She said you can add oher things if you have them. I may hvae to try this. I think I will add some rotel to the mix and maybe some canned potatoes if I have them.
This weekend promises to be busy as both girls have games. Grace is in a tournament here in Eustace and JoGail plays in Trinidad......I'll keep you posted!
I am also *trying* to figure out how to organize my recipe son the sidebar so you can easily access the recipes. May take awhile for me to figure but that's the goal!
Grace's ball game was postponed for tonight, so we are hanging out here at he house and waiting for Texas to play.....we have just a wee bit of burnt orange in the house! I think that's all Grace wears! I was able to get her in at hte doctor's office this afternoon to look at her foot that has started hurting her. He diagnosed it as a a sprain of her deltoid ligament (interior ankle). She has some exercises to do and has to wear a certain kind of tennis shoes (she actually had a pair in her closet). We'll see we go back for a steroid shot in two weeks if it isn't feeling better :((((
Tonight's recipe come from Clarissa......She called it something like a hobo meal....
Can corn
Can green beans
Browned hamburger meat
Mix all together and heat. She said you can add oher things if you have them. I may hvae to try this. I think I will add some rotel to the mix and maybe some canned potatoes if I have them.
This weekend promises to be busy as both girls have games. Grace is in a tournament here in Eustace and JoGail plays in Trinidad......I'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Baby it's getting cold & Traci's Hawaiin Roll Sandwiches
WOOOHOOO!!! Day two is done! Lots of heavy duty thinking going on today in my wee little brain....I have one of those jobs where when you think you have a good grip on things it changes...and changes....and changes....
simple spaghetti and bread sticks for supper. I know lots of cooking blogs have the perfect spaghetti recipe....well mine i s simple...brown your ground turkey meat and add 1 can drained mushroom pieces and a jar of ragu. DO NOT ADD WATER. I also use wheat spaghetti to sneak in some fiber on the kids!!!
Major cold front is expected late tomorrow night. Lows in the teens and wind chills below zero!!! That's cold for us, folks! Sticking ot my menus, though.....sure is tempting to go get the stuff and make a gumbo or soup, though. Speaking of my menus... I went to the grocery store this aafternoon and got out for $61.90!!! And that was getting stuff to complete my menus for us for the month!!! (Mainly using what we have in the pantry adn freezer) Let's pray I can stick to my menus now! I will have to go back to some staples but that's it for right now! whoop! Let me tell ya, I was feeling like I owned that grocery store this afternoon! WHOOP! WHOOP!
Then I get home and Grace tells me she needs some thing to take for the coaches toeat this weekend.....I knew this was weekend but forgot to add the stuff to my menu list. So I am going back tomorrow to get this stuff....I am making Traci's Hawaiin Bread Sandwiches--Toot you can make these, I PROMISE!
Traci's Hawaiin Roll Sandwiches
1 package King's Hawaiin Bread Rolls or 1 package potato rolls (Bakery section)
1/2-1 pound thinly sliced lunch meat (I use Ham) (Deli section)
1/2 pound thinly sliced cheese (deli section)
a little melted butter
a little worceshestire sauce
minced garlic (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice rolls open adn place as much or little meat and cheese in them that you want. (I have even mixed mayo and mustard together and put a little on too.). Close rolls. Brush top with mixture of melted butter, worc sauce and garlic. Baked at 5-10 mins until desired browning has occurred. Great to take places and easy to reheat.
simple spaghetti and bread sticks for supper. I know lots of cooking blogs have the perfect spaghetti recipe....well mine i s simple...brown your ground turkey meat and add 1 can drained mushroom pieces and a jar of ragu. DO NOT ADD WATER. I also use wheat spaghetti to sneak in some fiber on the kids!!!
Major cold front is expected late tomorrow night. Lows in the teens and wind chills below zero!!! That's cold for us, folks! Sticking ot my menus, though.....sure is tempting to go get the stuff and make a gumbo or soup, though. Speaking of my menus... I went to the grocery store this aafternoon and got out for $61.90!!! And that was getting stuff to complete my menus for us for the month!!! (Mainly using what we have in the pantry adn freezer) Let's pray I can stick to my menus now! I will have to go back to some staples but that's it for right now! whoop! Let me tell ya, I was feeling like I owned that grocery store this afternoon! WHOOP! WHOOP!
Then I get home and Grace tells me she needs some thing to take for the coaches toeat this weekend.....I knew this was weekend but forgot to add the stuff to my menu list. So I am going back tomorrow to get this stuff....I am making Traci's Hawaiin Bread Sandwiches--Toot you can make these, I PROMISE!
Traci's Hawaiin Roll Sandwiches
1 package King's Hawaiin Bread Rolls or 1 package potato rolls (Bakery section)
1/2-1 pound thinly sliced lunch meat (I use Ham) (Deli section)
1/2 pound thinly sliced cheese (deli section)
a little melted butter
a little worceshestire sauce
minced garlic (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice rolls open adn place as much or little meat and cheese in them that you want. (I have even mixed mayo and mustard together and put a little on too.). Close rolls. Brush top with mixture of melted butter, worc sauce and garlic. Baked at 5-10 mins until desired browning has occurred. Great to take places and easy to reheat.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Day one of the second semester.....
WOW!!! One day down.....something like 89 to go!! Too far out of rme to start a countdown, but trust me I will! The girls didn't have school, so it just me and himself getting up and about....actually JoGail was at a friend's so it was VERY quiet! Went and did a little birthday shopping and errand running before I went to work....was nice to have a little extra time! They are all at basketball practice right now. Pretty quiet. I decided to make a banana cranberry bread. Smells awesoem in the house! yes, I had all the ingredients, too!! I thought that would be good for me to take to work to munch on. Here's the recipe....
Banana/Cranberry Bread
Adapted from a recipe at Cooks.com
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup (about 3) smashed banana
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 teasponns baking powder
2 cups dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 350 derees. Grease/spray 1 loaf pan.
Cream first two ingredients. Gradually add bananas. Stir in milk and eggs. Mix dry ingredients together then gradually add to wet mixture. Be careful not to mix too much. Pour in pan and bake about an hour. Guaranteed to make your kitchen smell awesome!
I better go get suppe started....they should be in before too long and I imagine they will be starving!!!
By the way, we are having ham steaks from teh freezer........so far so good! LOL
Banana/Cranberry Bread
Adapted from a recipe at Cooks.com
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup (about 3) smashed banana
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 teasponns baking powder
2 cups dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 350 derees. Grease/spray 1 loaf pan.
Cream first two ingredients. Gradually add bananas. Stir in milk and eggs. Mix dry ingredients together then gradually add to wet mixture. Be careful not to mix too much. Pour in pan and bake about an hour. Guaranteed to make your kitchen smell awesome!
I better go get suppe started....they should be in before too long and I imagine they will be starving!!!
By the way, we are having ham steaks from teh freezer........so far so good! LOL
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Sunday night ....ahhhh the calm before the storm!
Laundry is about done, supper has been made.....no sleeping in tomorrow though....it's back to work! It has been a good, productive break.....highlights include:
Christmas Eve service at church....love the family candlelighting and prayer
Seeing most of my family....we'll get to MawMaw's and Toot's this spring
Seeing a good portion of Coy's family...we always have a good time at Todd and Michelle's
Cleaning out JoGail's room....now THAT was a chore
Cleaning out my closet......got 2 sacks of stuff to give away
Making sugar cookies and a gingerbread house with the girls
Seeing my parents and the girls play games together
Having my own BIG bowl of Mama's potato salad
Watching it snow on Christmas Eve....just a little
Watching the girls and their friends have a good time New Year's Eve...until Coy and I fell asleep
Sounds silly.....but reading recipes on the computer and not having to worry about what time it was
Keeping up and finding even more firends on facebook
Issuing the 'eat out of the pantry' challenge!!!
We did well tonight.....I made lemony skillet chicken and Coy stuck with his Veg beef soup....JG is at a friend's house for the night and Grace will probably eat cereal and/or have a coke float. (leftovers from New Year's Eve) ...either way I figure she's getting a little calcium!
The lemonny skillet recipe is below....
1 package chicken tenders (I only used 1/2 package b/c that's what I had left in the fridge)
1 pat butter
a little flour
a little olive oil
3 T lemon juice ---I used fresh from lemons Daddy brought me from Mr. Miller's
2/3 c chicken broth
Coat chicken with flous and cook in skillet until juices run clear-about 8-10 minutes. Take chicken out of pan. Put in the rest of the ingredients and heat to boil. Remove from heat and add chicken back in.
I was a little dispapointed because the sauce didn't thicken.....I should have realized that from the ingreients though.....It did have a good flavor...I added soy sauce to my chicken...
I made a thrown together casserole to take in my lunch. After this recipe the turkey is gone. :)
Thrown Together Casserole
Leftover turkey-about 2 cups
1 can ranch beans drained
1 can rotel drained
about 1 cup cheese
cumin
jalepeno salt
garlic
salt
pepper
crushed nacho cheese doritos
Mix altogether, seasoning to your liking. Heat in 350 oven about 20 minutes. Crush nacho cheese doritos and heat about 10 more eminutes. You can add more cheese on top if you want.
This week promises to be a busy week and a really really cold front is due towards the end of the week....could be hard to stick to my menus but I am determined to do it! I've managed to avoid going to the store fo ranything so far....but I think it will happen tomorrow. Grace loves her cereal and Coy loves those pop tarts and diet cokes! :)
I saw on another blog where the challenge was to eat in 365 days of the year.....ouch...I don't think I could do 30 days much less 365! No drive thus, no birthdays celebrations, nada......nope not for me! I do wonder if I might lose a little more weight, though......hummmmmmm.....nope not for me....but we are consciously trying to limit how much we eat out...remind me of this in a few weeks, ok????
I'm getting a preview of me and Coy in our golden years....him watching a documentary in his chair and me typing on the computer from teh couch...
Heard a verse today at church that I hadn't thought about in a while....sort of the rest of John 3:16 in my opinion....just something to think about.
John 3:21
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen PLAINLY that what he has done has been done THROUGH God.
In my opinion, this means there should be no question as to where we get our strength, our courage, and our ideas......they should come from God because we are living in the truth......just something to think about.....
Christmas Eve service at church....love the family candlelighting and prayer
Seeing most of my family....we'll get to MawMaw's and Toot's this spring
Seeing a good portion of Coy's family...we always have a good time at Todd and Michelle's
Cleaning out JoGail's room....now THAT was a chore
Cleaning out my closet......got 2 sacks of stuff to give away
Making sugar cookies and a gingerbread house with the girls
Seeing my parents and the girls play games together
Having my own BIG bowl of Mama's potato salad
Watching it snow on Christmas Eve....just a little
Watching the girls and their friends have a good time New Year's Eve...until Coy and I fell asleep
Sounds silly.....but reading recipes on the computer and not having to worry about what time it was
Keeping up and finding even more firends on facebook
Issuing the 'eat out of the pantry' challenge!!!
We did well tonight.....I made lemony skillet chicken and Coy stuck with his Veg beef soup....JG is at a friend's house for the night and Grace will probably eat cereal and/or have a coke float. (leftovers from New Year's Eve) ...either way I figure she's getting a little calcium!
The lemonny skillet recipe is below....
1 package chicken tenders (I only used 1/2 package b/c that's what I had left in the fridge)
1 pat butter
a little flour
a little olive oil
3 T lemon juice ---I used fresh from lemons Daddy brought me from Mr. Miller's
2/3 c chicken broth
Coat chicken with flous and cook in skillet until juices run clear-about 8-10 minutes. Take chicken out of pan. Put in the rest of the ingredients and heat to boil. Remove from heat and add chicken back in.
I was a little dispapointed because the sauce didn't thicken.....I should have realized that from the ingreients though.....It did have a good flavor...I added soy sauce to my chicken...
I made a thrown together casserole to take in my lunch. After this recipe the turkey is gone. :)
Thrown Together Casserole
Leftover turkey-about 2 cups
1 can ranch beans drained
1 can rotel drained
about 1 cup cheese
cumin
jalepeno salt
garlic
salt
pepper
crushed nacho cheese doritos
Mix altogether, seasoning to your liking. Heat in 350 oven about 20 minutes. Crush nacho cheese doritos and heat about 10 more eminutes. You can add more cheese on top if you want.
This week promises to be a busy week and a really really cold front is due towards the end of the week....could be hard to stick to my menus but I am determined to do it! I've managed to avoid going to the store fo ranything so far....but I think it will happen tomorrow. Grace loves her cereal and Coy loves those pop tarts and diet cokes! :)
I saw on another blog where the challenge was to eat in 365 days of the year.....ouch...I don't think I could do 30 days much less 365! No drive thus, no birthdays celebrations, nada......nope not for me! I do wonder if I might lose a little more weight, though......hummmmmmm.....nope not for me....but we are consciously trying to limit how much we eat out...remind me of this in a few weeks, ok????
I'm getting a preview of me and Coy in our golden years....him watching a documentary in his chair and me typing on the computer from teh couch...
Heard a verse today at church that I hadn't thought about in a while....sort of the rest of John 3:16 in my opinion....just something to think about.
John 3:21
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen PLAINLY that what he has done has been done THROUGH God.
In my opinion, this means there should be no question as to where we get our strength, our courage, and our ideas......they should come from God because we are living in the truth......just something to think about.....
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Praline pecans and dried cranberries+ bacon cheeseburger roll up
I found this recipe over at Mommyskitchen.net and had to try it....oh my it was wonderful and so simple to make. Yes, I had all the ingredients so I was in luck! The pecans were leftover from some candy things I made for Christmas. The pecans with the cranberries is a geat combination, too. Here's the link.
http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2009/12/praline-pecans-with-cranberries-yummy.html
I promise these are simple...no candy thermometer needed!
Had my birthday lunch today....next Saturday is going ot be crazy with Grace in a tournament, JoGail having her first basketball game and Coy coaching an extra game. My birthday is actually Sunday, but I want it to be relaxing and low key....I'm suspecting this next week (going back to school) is going to be hard on us all. The girls don't have school on Monday, so that will help a little. Grace has a ball game on Thursday.
My menus are planned and ready to go. I have about decied to make a casserole to take to lunch as leftovers and buy some tuna to make a sandwich if I run out of the casserole. Especially this week. I have some turkey I need to finish off. I am thinking a mexican turkey casserole of some sort for this week.
I'll leave you with a recipe from Leigh Ann. I can't wait to try this. She makes this then takes it in her lunch. She said she also spreads pickle relish on it before she rolls it up. This recipe is from Kraft foods.com
Bacon cheeseburger roll up
1 lb. lean ground beef
4 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 pkg. (13.8 oz.) refrigerated pizza crust Make It!
HEAT oven to 400°F. Brown ground beef with bacon and onions in large skillet on medium-high heat; drain. Return meat mixture to skillet. Add VELVEETA; cook until melted, stirring frequently. Cool 10 min.
UNROLL dough onto baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Press into 15x8-inch rectangle; top with meat mixture. Roll up, starting at one of the long sides. Rearrange if necessary so roll is seam-side down.
BAKE 20 to 25 min. or until golden brown. I can't wait to try it!!! Thanks Leigh Ann!!!!
From kraftfoods.com
http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2009/12/praline-pecans-with-cranberries-yummy.html
I promise these are simple...no candy thermometer needed!
Had my birthday lunch today....next Saturday is going ot be crazy with Grace in a tournament, JoGail having her first basketball game and Coy coaching an extra game. My birthday is actually Sunday, but I want it to be relaxing and low key....I'm suspecting this next week (going back to school) is going to be hard on us all. The girls don't have school on Monday, so that will help a little. Grace has a ball game on Thursday.
My menus are planned and ready to go. I have about decied to make a casserole to take to lunch as leftovers and buy some tuna to make a sandwich if I run out of the casserole. Especially this week. I have some turkey I need to finish off. I am thinking a mexican turkey casserole of some sort for this week.
I'll leave you with a recipe from Leigh Ann. I can't wait to try this. She makes this then takes it in her lunch. She said she also spreads pickle relish on it before she rolls it up. This recipe is from Kraft foods.com
Bacon cheeseburger roll up
1 lb. lean ground beef
4 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 pkg. (13.8 oz.) refrigerated pizza crust Make It!
HEAT oven to 400°F. Brown ground beef with bacon and onions in large skillet on medium-high heat; drain. Return meat mixture to skillet. Add VELVEETA; cook until melted, stirring frequently. Cool 10 min.
UNROLL dough onto baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Press into 15x8-inch rectangle; top with meat mixture. Roll up, starting at one of the long sides. Rearrange if necessary so roll is seam-side down.
BAKE 20 to 25 min. or until golden brown. I can't wait to try it!!! Thanks Leigh Ann!!!!
From kraftfoods.com
Friday, January 01, 2010
A Challenge....eat out of your pantry/freezer!
Those following me on facebook have already had peek at the challenge.....try to eat out of your pantry/freezer as much as you can in the month of January.....then donate saved money to either your church or favorite charity.....I read about this on some other blogs and had to think really hard if I wnated to try it. Yes I am scared....now I have changed it a little to make it more flexible and custom for each family. The first step I took was to go seee what was asctually IN the pantry and freezer...quite a bit more than I actually thought. Next I tried thinking of recipes and ways to use what was there. I bouth a one dollar calendar at the Doaller store next. Then I pencilled in activities that might interfere with my menus that I know about. Then became the real challenge....to pick what to eat using what I had. I've been bookmarking recipes I wanted to try, so I started going thru them....found some new ones to try based on what I had in the pantry....yes I am still going to buy pop tarts and diet cokes for Coy, but my grocery bill should be signifiacntly less this month.....my goal is save at least $20.00 every time I run to the grocery store. That will add up!!! I was thinking about writing the check $20.00 over time I go and then stashing the cash....I will have to consult my banker on the best way to calculate my savings...This will be a true challenge for me as both my birthday and JoGail's are this month. Here's a recap of the ground rules...
1. Take inventory of your pantry and freezer.
2. Eat what you have!
3. Save money when you go to the store....
4. Donate the money to your church or a favorite charity...I recommend the March of Dimes and Team Marcy....
On the menu this month are the following...
ham steaks , veggies...have everything
spaghetti and bread sticks...have everything
chicken paprikas (sparkrecipes.com) have the chicken, sour cream, paprika, noodles
smoked sausage stew (gooseberry patch cookbook)..have the sausage
baked fish, spinach...have everything
shepherd's pie....have the meat, corn and mashed potatoes
slow cooker beef and mushrooms.....have the onion soup mix
pancakes (have mix)
cold shrimp (have)
corn pone pie...have meat, cornbread mix
sandwiches (we have these often for Sat lunch)
This gets us to our next payday which is Jan 25 and my grocery list has less than 20 things on it to make all this.....
My next line of thought is going towards the question of what to do for my lunch......I will have tothink on that and get back to you....that may add a tiny about to my grocery bill since I am leaning towards taking it and am trying to talk Coy into taking his. We have discoverd (thanks to Holly's mom) the orowheat flatbread at the store....1 gram fat and only 100 calories...makes a mean tuna sandwich!! have to think on this and will get back to you......a recipe I have found that I want to try is baked pineapple....ever had it?? I am going to try that this month.....I am leaving you with two of my favorite new recipes from 2009......easy chicken stuffing and cola chicken
Easy Chicken stuffing
1 pound chicken tenders, thawed
1 package instant stuffing mix
1 stick melted butter
***no idea where I came up with this**
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Arrange chicken in bottem of casserole dish. Sprinkle stuffing and spices on top. Pour butter over and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes......A family favorite and sooo easy to make!
Cola chicken
1 pound chicken tenders
1 cup ketchup
about 1/2 bottle diet cola (any flavor)
recipe from sparkrecipes.com
Put chicken in skillet and brown on both sides. I usually season with creole seasoning at this point. Gradually add and ketchup. Heat to boiling then reduce heat. Let simmer until sauce thickens (about 25-30 mins) . This makes it like a BBQ chicken. We like it over rice. Very low calorie. And I have been told you can make it with regular cola too. I just use diet to lower the calorie content. It looks a weird at first in the skillet, but don't worry it turns out good! Very filling and good to take for lunch. Reheats well.
1. Take inventory of your pantry and freezer.
2. Eat what you have!
3. Save money when you go to the store....
4. Donate the money to your church or a favorite charity...I recommend the March of Dimes and Team Marcy....
On the menu this month are the following...
ham steaks , veggies...have everything
spaghetti and bread sticks...have everything
chicken paprikas (sparkrecipes.com) have the chicken, sour cream, paprika, noodles
smoked sausage stew (gooseberry patch cookbook)..have the sausage
baked fish, spinach...have everything
shepherd's pie....have the meat, corn and mashed potatoes
slow cooker beef and mushrooms.....have the onion soup mix
pancakes (have mix)
cold shrimp (have)
corn pone pie...have meat, cornbread mix
sandwiches (we have these often for Sat lunch)
This gets us to our next payday which is Jan 25 and my grocery list has less than 20 things on it to make all this.....
My next line of thought is going towards the question of what to do for my lunch......I will have tothink on that and get back to you....that may add a tiny about to my grocery bill since I am leaning towards taking it and am trying to talk Coy into taking his. We have discoverd (thanks to Holly's mom) the orowheat flatbread at the store....1 gram fat and only 100 calories...makes a mean tuna sandwich!! have to think on this and will get back to you......a recipe I have found that I want to try is baked pineapple....ever had it?? I am going to try that this month.....I am leaving you with two of my favorite new recipes from 2009......easy chicken stuffing and cola chicken
Easy Chicken stuffing
1 pound chicken tenders, thawed
1 package instant stuffing mix
1 stick melted butter
***no idea where I came up with this**
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Arrange chicken in bottem of casserole dish. Sprinkle stuffing and spices on top. Pour butter over and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes......A family favorite and sooo easy to make!
Cola chicken
1 pound chicken tenders
1 cup ketchup
about 1/2 bottle diet cola (any flavor)
recipe from sparkrecipes.com
Put chicken in skillet and brown on both sides. I usually season with creole seasoning at this point. Gradually add and ketchup. Heat to boiling then reduce heat. Let simmer until sauce thickens (about 25-30 mins) . This makes it like a BBQ chicken. We like it over rice. Very low calorie. And I have been told you can make it with regular cola too. I just use diet to lower the calorie content. It looks a weird at first in the skillet, but don't worry it turns out good! Very filling and good to take for lunch. Reheats well.
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